Overview
One Sydney stalwart is set to be replaced by an even older reincarnation this spring. Potts Point's seven-year-old The Fish Shop — which was helmed by the late and great Jeremy Strode — will close its doors this June and reopen as Merivale's bygone bistro and cocktail bar, Lotus. This award-winning venue will make a grand return to its Challis Avenue digs with a revamped menu and an all-star team — with Lotus's original head chef, Dan Hong (Ms. G's, Mr. Wong, El Loco), once again at the helm.
Lotus was Hong's first head chef position, which he snagged at just 24-years-old after returning to Sydney from a stint in New York. While most of the menu will be brand new, fans of the original can expect the return of a few favourite dishes, including the cheeseburger, sweet wasabi tuna and hot fudge sundaes for dessert. You can also count on plenty of Hong's signature, creative Asian touches throughout the Mediterranean-style menu.
Nikki To
Back in the day, Lotus's decadent and lively atmosphere made it a Kings Cross go-to for over a decade, and the team fully plans to bring back these good-time vibes. While it hasn't yet been announced who'll be joining Hong behind the bar or on the floor, the venue was originally home to Sydney bartender extraordinaire Alexx Stuart and Merivale's Chief Food & Beverage Officer Frank Roberts — so expect some equally big names to be announced in the upcoming months.
Lotus 2.0 will open in September and exist as an extended pop-up until the new owners take over the building — Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes sold the three-storey property last month, after it had been owned by his family since 1988. While an exact end date has not yet been set, the restaurant will remain open at least into 2020 at this stage.
For those keen to grab one last taste of The Fish Shop, you have just about two weeks until it closes up for good on Sunday, June 16.
Find The Fish Shop at 22 Challis Avenue, Potts Point until Sunday, June 16. Lotus 2.0 will open this September. Keep an eye on this space for further announcements.
Images: Nikki To.